New Motor/Kite Tunnel Cat Being Tested in Brazil

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by Don Brunton, May 14, 2015.

  1. Don Brunton
    Joined: May 2015
    Posts: 9
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    Location: Ilhabela, Brazil

    Don Brunton Southern Cross Brazil Ltd

    Hi,
    My name is Don Brunton. I'm about to begin testing the Kite System on the "Harpoon I", a 20 ft. Tunnel Cat of my own design here off the coast of Ilhabela, Brazil. The boat's primary propulsion consists of twin 60 hp Mercury 4 stroke outboards. It features a secondary Kite system incorporated as a part of the boat's design. I would welcome any constructive input during this learning phase I'm about to go through.
     
  2. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    Can you post some photos or line plans?
     
  3. Don Brunton
    Joined: May 2015
    Posts: 9
    Likes: 0, Points: 1, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Ilhabela, Brazil

    Don Brunton Southern Cross Brazil Ltd

    IMG_3557.JPG

    Harpoon with Motors.jpg

    I have jib tracks, #6 winches and jam cleats mounted on re-enforced regions along the rails. The jib tracks will allow the anchoring of the steering bar in combinations both fore and aft of the boat's pivotal center.

    Also, I have a removable rudder mounted between the engines that works connected to the hydraulic steering with engines up (or down with engines operating as aux. power) or steered manually by tiller.
     

  4. Munter
    Joined: Jul 2007
    Posts: 285
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    Location: Australia

    Munter Amateur

    This is a very unusual combination. The massive motors on the back are not a common feature on sailboats due to the high drag that will inevitably result when sailing but as we don't really know what your objectives for the project are you can't really be too critical. What is the purpose of the kite rig? Is it just emergency back-up? If it is more than just emergency use, what are the performance targets for the kite? I can't imagine that it would be able to make the boat plane so it will be operating in displacement mode while kiting.
    An interesting project - please keep the updates coming as you develop it.
     
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